Business Car Contracts Blog

The New Mercedes-Benz A Class

The A Class was the best-selling vehicle in the UK for Mercedes during 2017, the new A class promises to be even more popular with luxury features first seen in the S class and cutting edge technology.

New A Class Exterior

The new A Class with also be a 5dr hatchback, but a 4dr saloon is expected to join the line up. On the outside a more sporty look has been created with a more sharply sloping bonnet, wider rear end and larger wheel arches. Exterior features have not only been altered for aesthetics, but for aerodynamics too with the new A Class achieving a class leading drag coefficient of 0.25.

The A Class has grown, with length increasing by 120mm, width by 16mm and height by 2mm. The creates more space inside the vehicle for passengers and a boot space capable of holding 29 more litres than the previous version.

New A Class Engines

To begin with there are a limited range of engines to choose from, with two petrol and only one diesel engine on offer;

A200 1.4 litre turbo petrol engine with 161bhp, top speed of 140mph and 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds. This engine has an automatic version which achieves 55.3mpg with Co2 emissions of 120g/km and a manual version which achieves 50.4mph with Co2 emissions of 133g/km.

A250 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine with 221bhp, a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds and top speed of 155mph. This engine is available as an automatic only achieving 47mpg with Co2 emissions of 141g/km.

A180 1.5 litre turbo diesel engine with 114bhp, top speed of 125mph and a 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds. This engine is automatic only and achieves 68.8mpg with Co2 emissions of 108g/km.

Further engines will be added to the line up after the launch.

New A Class Interior and Technology

The interior of the new A Class has a new look dominated by 7" twin digital screens which control Mercedes-Benz latest infotainment technology. This cutting edge system has been called the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX). This system puts all media features such as phone connectivity, radio and sat nav in the same place as functions such as air conditioning. The MBUX can be controlled via the touchscreens, via the touchpad, by touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel or by voice control. The voice control feature has undergone extensive updating to make sure it can recognise more conversational phrases rather than just explicit instructions. For example, if you were to say 'I am hungry' you would be supplied with a list of nearby restaurants. To gain the attention of MBUX the phrase 'hey Mercedes' can be used in much the same way you would activate Siri or Alexa.

The MBUX will be able to store the preferences of many drivers, so information is displayed exactly as it is liked without the need to reset. It will also learn about drivers using Artificial Intelligence and pre-empt certain behaviours. For example, if you always make the same phone call to the same person everyday your A Class will have the action ready and check with you if you would like the call to go ahead. The A Class can also learn from your travel behaviour and have a destination pre-loaded in the satellite navigation system, so if this destination is confirmed all route information is ready immediately.

The A Class will be borrowing autonomous driving features already seen in the S Class. It will be capable of driving semi-autonomously in certain conditions by using the Active Distance Assist Distronic System. This system uses cameras and sensors to keep the vehicle at a pre-set distance from the one in front. Steering is supported, including around bends and the satellite navigation system is used to reduce speed if there is a curve in the road or a roundabout ahead.

New A Class Trim Levels

Exact details of which features will be offered at which trim levels have not yet been released, but we do know the following features will be standard on every A Class;

Attention assist.

Active brake assist.

Automatic air conditioning.

Keyless go.

MBUX with 7" screens.

Automatic wipers.

Automatic headlights.

Head-up display, LED headlights, ambient lighting and larger infotainment screens are likely to be offered as options or as part of a higher trim level in line with the rest of the Mercedes-Benz range.

The A Class will go on sale in the UK in March 2018 and prices are expected to start at £24,000.